Smoked Taillights - Looking for Recommendation

[chicagofan00]

I’ve had issues with smoked lenses and law enforcement (Texas) in the past, so I went with a tail light that had the black housing and clear lens. I’d still probably prefer a smoked lens, but not worth the hassle for me. The lights in the picture are Anzo USA LED Tail Lights (Part #: 311252). Installation was incredibly easy and I’ve had them for 6 months so far with zero issues. PS...they are crazy bright at night!

Those look pretty good. Glad to hear no issues so far.

 

[IamZ]

I tried the Laminex route with my Tahoe and it was a massive pain in the ass to try and apply. I also felt like their version of pre-cut version was way off and didn't really align properly with the 2015 style of lights. After a little back and forth with them I was able to get my money back...perhaps if you have a pro installer do it with just a sheet of it instead of a pre-cut version it would be worthwhile?

Don't go the Laminex route. I have them on mine and had them professionally installed. First the precuts, those weren't sized right. Then they shipped another set of the precuts, also not the right size. They then shipped the sheet directly to the installer, after a year and half, they're peeling off.
I'm now looking for a painted/smoked version or one with a black housing....

 

[Nokturnal]

I had mine painted in Texas. I get pulled over once or twice a month for my window tint (4%) and no front license plate...but nothing has ever been mentioned about my smoked tails ever. You can see the brake lights and the LED just fine, and they’re prettt dark. Really complements the full black out in my opinion. I have had to replace both tails bc the LED stopped working. $780 for one tail 1.5 year ago and now I just bought a pair of smoked 3D LED tails from
Protuning labs bc my driver tail went out. Roughly 145k miles on my 2016. The protuning labs pair was $400 with warranty and already smoked. I’ll Post some pics when they arrive tomorrow

 

[Nokturnal]

ProTuning Pair

 

[Nokturnal]

My smoked factory that have failed me in 3 years lol

 

[dbbd1]

ProTuning Pair

View attachment 207936

Thanks for the info.

 

[Nokturnal]

Night Time pic of the Protuning Smoked Tails. Really impressed and love the night time look. I’ll post some daytime pics tomorrow but the smoked option really turned out well. I love how the protuning have more red throughout the entirety of the tail.

 

[Nokturnal]

Another close up

 

[Nokturnal]

And with LED reverse

 

[Nokturnal]

Daytime look of the smoked Protuning.

 

[DennisT]

I find it amazing how many people want to look cool as they get rear-ended. I and others have nearly hit cars with smoked lights because you can’t see the brake lights as well. Especially in the daytime. And at nighttime the lights aren’t bright enough to be noticed as brake lights. I spoke to an attorney friend about this and he said an owner could be sued for contributory negligence due to the modification. They’re not for me.

 

[Nokturnal]

The aftermarket protuning smoked lenses actually have a MUCH greater light output on the LED ring and break lights compared to my factory non-smoked taillights. It could easily be argued that they make my vehicle safer compared to factory.

I think the days of the true black out tail light covers (late 90’s are gone) and I could see your point. Most of the smoked applications ive seen on others as well as mine are done with just the slightest amount of paint or tint that hardly interferes with Light Brightness Output(in my case I saw an INCREASE in brightness). I say anyone wanting to increase your Tail-light brightness output should look into these Protuning models...they’ll blind you. I’m uber impressed. And as you can see from my daytime photo you can clearly see the red in the taillights during normal daylight operation.

 

[Nokturnal]

They have regular non smoked red and even a black application that would yield that increased output over factory tails for increased safety for those wanting to minimize rear end risk entirely especially
Over factory tails.

 

[Nokturnal]

The black looked different but I prefer red in my tails during the day.

 

[IamZ]

Wish they had the black with the smoked lenses...

 

[Holt50]

Vmt paint

 

[fozzi58]

I find it amazing how many people want to look cool as they get rear-ended. I and others have nearly hit cars with smoked lights because you can’t see the brake lights as well. Especially in the daytime. And at nighttime the lights aren’t bright enough to be noticed as brake lights. I spoke to an attorney friend about this and he said an owner could be sued for contributory negligence due to the modification. They’re not for me.

Changing the ****** incandescent bulbs to LEDs negates any tinting of the lights. However, your reason is the only reason I haven't purchased a set of after-market Esky lights. They are all too dim and the OEMs are $700 a side. Not worth it in my opinion.